A city is suing an RV retailer over its ‘gigantic’ American flag. They won't take it down

Thursday 23 May, 2019

A North Carolina city has filed a lawsuit against a business for allegedly violating a city ordinance by flying an American flag that is significantly larger than what the city permits.

But the business isn't backing down – even a court order won't compel Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World, to remove the massive flag, he told USA TODAY on Wednesday. Lemonis is the celebrity CEO behind the TV show "The Profit" on CNBC.

A Monday release from the city of Statesville, North Carolina, says recreational vehicle retailer Gander RV has been flying a 3,200-square-foot flag at its Statesville location for more than six months. The company had previously obtained a permit for a 1,000-square-foot flag, which complied with the city's ordinance, the city says.

The city says it has repeatedly asked Gander RV to replace the flag with one that is a permitted size. The release says the city is seeking a fine of $50 for every day the flag has been displayed since an October 2018 notice.

In a tweet, Lemonis cited an email saying the fine was currently in excess of $10,000. Lemonis said Camping World is the parent company of the location, which does business as Gander RV.